April 4, 2016 - PANAMA - A huge leak of confidential documents has revealed how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.

Eleven million documents were leaked from one of the world's most secretive companies, Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

They show how Mossack Fonseca has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and avoid tax.

The company says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and has never been charged with criminal wrong-doing.

French President Francois Hollande hailed the "good revelations" which would "increase tax revenues from those who commit fraud".

The documents show 12 current or former heads of state and at least 60 people linked to current or former world leaders in the data.

They include the Icelandic Prime Minister, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugson, who had an undeclared interest linked to his wife's wealth. He has said he will not resign.

The files also reveal a suspected billion-dollar money laundering ring involving close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Gerard Ryle, director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), said the documents covered day-to-day business at Mossack Fonseca over the past 40 years.

"I think the leak will prove to be probably the biggest blow the
offshore world has ever taken because of the extent of the documents,"
he added.

Panama Papers - tax havens of the rich and powerful exposed

Eleven million documents held by the
Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca have been passed to German
newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, which then shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. BBC Panorama is among 107 media organisations - including UK newspaper the Guardian - in 76 countries which have been analysing the documents. The BBC doesn't know the identity of the source

They show how the company has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax

Mossack Fonseca says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and never been accused or charged with criminal wrong-doing

The documents also shed light on
how Mossack Fonseca offered financial services designed to help business
clients hide their wealth.

One wealthy client, US millionaire and life coach Marianna Olszewski, was offered fake ownership records to hide money from the authorities. This is in direct breach of international regulations designed to stop money-laundering and tax evasion.

An email from a Mossack executive to Ms Olszewski in January 2009 explains how she could deceive the bank: "We may use a natural person who will act as the beneficial owner… and therefore his name will be disclosed to the bank. Since this is a very sensitive matter, fees are quite high."

Ms Olszewski did not respond to the BBC's questions.

In a statement, Mossack Fonseca said: "Your allegations that we provide structures supposedly designed to hide the identity of the real owners, are completely unsupported and false.

"We do not provide beneficiary services to deceive banks. It is difficult, not to say impossible, not to provide banks with the identity of final beneficiaries and the origin of funds."

The data also contain secret offshore companies linked to the families and associates of Egypt's former President, Hosni Mubarak, former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

Russian connection
Also
revealed is a suspected billion-dollar money-laundering ring that was
run by a Russian bank and involved close associates of President Putin.
The operation was run by Bank Rossiya, which is subject to US and EU sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The documents reveal for the first time how the bank operates.

Money has been channelled through offshore companies, two of which were officially owned by one of the Russian president's closest friends.

Concert cellist Sergei Roldugin has known Vladimir Putin since they were teenagers and is godfather to the president's daughter Maria.

On paper, Mr Roldugin has personally made hundreds of millions of dollars in profits from suspicious deals.

But documents from Mr Roldugin's companies state that: "The company is a corporate screen established principally to protect the identity and confidentiality of the ultimate beneficial owner of the company."

The Kremlin spokesman said it was clear the main target of the reports was Mr Putin, as well as Russia's political stability ahead of parliamentary elections.

Dmitry Peskov dismissed the investigation as insinuation and speculation, and suggested many of the team of journalists behind it were actually former US state department and CIA officials.

Iceland connection
Mossack
Fonseca data also show how Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David
Gunnlaugsson had an undeclared interest in his country's failed banks.

Leaked documents show that Mr Gunnlaugsson and his wife bought offshore company Wintris in 2007.
He
did not declare an interest in the company when entering parliament in
2009. He sold his 50% of Wintris to his wife for $1 (70p), eight months
later.

The offshore company was used to invest millions of dollars
of inherited money, according to a document signed by Mr Gunnlaugsson's
wife, Anna Sigurlaug Palsdottir, in 2015.

Mr Gunnlaugsson is facing calls for his resignation, but said on Monday that this was not something he was considering.

He apologised for his poor performance in an earlier interview, when he walked out after a question about Wintris.

The prime minister stressed that his wife had always paid taxes in Iceland.

He says he has not broken any rules and his wife did not benefit financially from his decisions.

Mossack Fonseca says offshore companies are available worldwide and are used for a variety of legitimate purposes.

"If we detect suspicious activity or misconduct, we are quick to report it to the authorities," it said. "Similarly, when authorities approach us with evidence of possible misconduct, we always co-operate fully with them."

Jennie Granger, a spokeswoman for the UK's tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), said the organisation had received "a great deal of information on offshore companies, including in Panama, from a wide range of sources, which is currently the subject of intensive investigation".

Wicked pissah of a forecast for Boston, as another major snowstorm takes aim.

April 4, 2016 - MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES - Drivers are facing delays across Greater Boston due to accidents and
building volume, while the MBTA is reporting delays on some commuter
rail lines during Monday’s morning commute, which is being accompanied
by a spring snowstorm.

The snowstorm arrived in Boston shortly after 7 a.m., and forecasters at the National Weather Service said the “moderate snow event” will persist through Monday, could reduce visibility, and cause slippery road conditions.

MassDOT reported around 8 a.m. that 1,173 crews are clearing and treating state roads. “Pavements wet to snow covered,’’ MassDOT reported on its official Twitter account. “Allow extra travel time today.’’

On the Massachusetts Turnpike speeds were lowered to 40 miles per hour from the New York border to Exit 11 in Worcester around 7:15 a.m. due to the storm, according to MassDOT.

Speeds on major highways — including the Southeast Expressway, Interstate 93 north of the city, the Turnpike, and portions of Routes 3 and 24 — were dropping below 20 miles per hour, according to traffic monitors.

The delays were caused by building volume, but also accidents, including:- Route 1 in Revere southbound near Copeland Circle.

Around 8:40 a.m., the T was reporting delays and cancellations on commuter rail lines including:
-
Haverhill line train 210 scheduled to leave at 9:05 a.m. is canceled
and “no alternate transportation will be provided,’’ the T reported on
its Twitter account. The next outbound train is set for 9:44 a.m., the T
said.

- Also on the Haverhill line, train 201 was stopped near the
Reading station due to a mechanical problem and train 203 was due to be
provide an assist, the T reported.

- On the Worcester line, train
505 was reported to be 10 minutes behind schedule between Worcester and
Natick due to train traffic.

The T reported other commuter rail and all subway lines were operating on schedule around 8:40 a.m.

April 4, 2016 - NORTH KOREA - North Korea has claimed they will kill more people in America than the September 11 attacks.

A ranting article in the hermit Stalinist nation's state-run publication DPRK Today said their weapons are trained on the White House, the Pentagon and other vital strategic locations.

It read: “If three civilian airplanes’ attacks from 15 years ago resulted in 3,000 deaths and brought a nightmare to life for the US, the outbreak of our final war will wipe the country from history, leaving no time (for them to) even regret or have nightmares about it,” read the bulletin, seen by NK News.

Kim Jong-un’s regime has issued a series of threats recently - even threatening long-time ally China.

Chilling images from the newspaper. DPRK

“Being beaten by only three civilian airplanes, the US was ashamed in front of the world and has suffered incalculable psychological and economical damage,” the article added.

The provocative article comes soon after Kim Jong-un defied a UN weapons ban to oversee the testing of North Korea's new surface-to-air missiles - the country's state media has reported.

The test comes amid growing tensions between the North Korea and South Korea as the dictatorship appears to step up its weapons programme.

North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un. Reuters

North Korea simulated an attack on Washington with this propaganda video. YouTube

The communist state has declared itself in a state of "semi-war" and declared hostilities against a host of countries including America and China.

Kim Jong-Un, 33, recently threatened 'nuclear storm' against the country's enemies after it was subjected to strict UN sanctions - which includes a ban on any missile tests.

Pyongyang's official news agency said the leader had "guided the test of a new-type anti-air guided weapon system" to "estimate its performance". - Mirror.

April 4, 2016 - BANGLADESH - At least 30 people mostly farmers were struck and killed by lightning in
the last 10 days at different parts of the country as nor'westers
started to hit since last month.

The frequency of the storms (Kalboishakhi) usually rises in April and
May, and the deaths from lightning could go up significantly if
precautions are not taken properly. This seasonal storm is typically
accompanied by lightning.

The maximum 13 people were killed by lightning on Thursday in
seven districts. Most of the victims were farmers working on the field.
Of them, three teenagers were killed in Munshiganj and two each in
Faridpur, Kishoreganj, Bagerhat and Manikganj districts.

Earlier, two people were killed on March 30 and five on March 28 during
nor'westers at different parts of the country. Six others, killed on
March 27, include three schoolboys of Netrakona.

Reports say three farmers were struck by lightning and killed while working on a salt field at Moheshkhali of Cox's Bazar.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department broadcasts early warning of the impending thunderbolt.

On May 6, 2013, at least 24 deaths by lighting were reported from different districts.

In 2011, a total of 179 people were killed by lightning - 58 getting
killed in the month of May alone. During April and May the following
year, lightning killed a staggering 152 people.

In the wake of rise in lightning strikes, Bangladesh Red Crescent
Society (BDRCS) has started awareness campaign on social media,
especially Facebook, to bring down the number of deaths and injuries
from lightning.

Urging not to panic during a storm accompanied by lighting, the BDRCS
suggests that people stay away from tall trees, electric pillars and
towers, and take shelter under a concrete ceiling. Touching corrugated
iron sheets (tin) or metals during lighting may claim lives.

People stuck in cars due to storms can also avoid casualty by not touching its metal body.

Being near water bodies including ponds and rivers can be fatal during a lightning, the BDRCS says.

It asks people to not use or switch off electronic items including
phones, laptops, WiFi, cordless phones and landphones when lighting
strikes frequently. - Dhaka Tribune.

Many hailstones were 10 to 15 centimeters across, according to locals.

April 4, 2016 - VIETNAM - Around 1,000 houses and 100 hectares of vegetables fields were damaged
in Tuyen Quang Sunday in the province's worst hailstorm in 30 years.
Hailstones as large as 10 centimeters across fell for eight
minutes from 6:40 a.m. Sunday, leaving holes in many roofs and injuring
several farmers on their way to work.

April 4, 2016 - PAKISTAN - In Pakistan, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported
earlier today that 46 people had died and 41 were injured as torrential
rain and floods hit the province on Saturday 02 April, 2016. At least 60
houses have been damaged. Full damage assessments were still awaited
from remote areas of the province.

Many of the deaths are thought
to have been caused by collapsing buildings. Other victims were swept
away by flood water or struck by lighting.

Kohistan and Shanlga
were among the worst affected districts. At least 14 people have died,
13 injured and 26 houses damaged in Shangla. Twelve have been killed in
Kohistan and 2 injured.

Several rivers in the area, including the
Swat River, have reportedly overflowed. PDMA say that the Swat district
has also suffered severe losses with at least 8 people dead. Officials
said the Swat River was in a “high level flood with the 75000 cusec
passing at Ayub bridge in Swat”. People have been asked to evacuate from
areas near the river.

Gilgit-Baltistan and Afghanistan
Flooding and severe weather has also affected parts of the province of Gilgit-Baltistan. Further details are as yet unavailable.

Turkish newspaper, Daily Sabah, says that heavy rain and flooding has also affected parts of Afghanistan. In a report earlier today, the newspaper says:

Meanwhile
in Afghanistan, the floods killed 30 people, destroyed over 20 homes,
while communications were knocked out and several roads blocked by
flooding, said Wais Barmak, state minister for the Afghanistan Natural
Disaster Management Authority.

Heavy downpours may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas during the period.
Heavy
downpours may also generate isolated flash flooding in the local
ravines and streams of the above mentioned areas on Saturday/Sunday.

Concerned authorities of said areas are advised to remain ALERT in next two days.”

Prime Minister Requests Timely Aid and Relief
In
a statement earlier today, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives
due to floods caused by rains in different parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Prime Minister has directed National
Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA) and other concerned authorities to
ensure timely relief activities for the victims; including provision of
proper medical care, food and shelter for the affected. The Prime
Minister has further directed to keep him updated on the situation.

April 4, 2016 - BELFAST, IRELAND - There were fears of an explosion in Belfast after witnesses described a loud bang accompanied by a flash of light in the sky.

The events were later attributed to an incident at an electricity
substation in the south west of the city, where a fault interrupted
power to thousands of homes.
Fire service crews were reportedly spotted at the site near Lenadoon shortly after the flash was seen on Friday night.

Witnesses described seeing the night sky light up from up to 15
miles away, with the flash accompanied by interference to radio
stations.

NIE Networks said their early assessment indicated the fault was not suspicious.

A spokeswoman said: "Due to an equipment fault, several thousands of
homes and businesses would have seen a dip in power for a number of
seconds on Friday night.

That was the strangest thing ever. Sky lit up for a second or two then the noise. Was that thunder and lightning?

"Network protection systems operated correctly to ensure that power supplies were not lost.

"Engineers from NIE Networks and Soni - the System Operator Northern Ireland - are investigating the cause."

Twitter lit up with speculation over incident.

Michael Doran ‏wrote: "What was that big flash in Belfast? Hoping not a bomb."

Abi Louise tweeted: "The blinds rattled! Flashes have happened in Belfast before - at least this one has an explanation!!!"

Press Association reporter Catherine Wylie described howthe sky was illuminated with "dramatic flashes" and her car radio lost signal.

She said: "We were driving home from Belfast International Airport
and were around the Nutts Corner area - about 10 miles outside Belfast -
when the sky suddenly lit up and there were dramatic flashes at about
11.15pm.

WATCH: Flashing lights in the sky over Belfast.

"We didn't think it was lightning as it didn't look like
anything we had seen before in the night sky. It was directly in front
of us so it was quite a sight.

"It only lasted a few seconds, and in that time the car radio went
fuzzy. When the DJ came back on he remarked on how he had lost power or
light momentarily, which really intrigued us.

"People contacted the radio show about how they had seen the flashes in
the sky or mentioned their lights dimming, and it seemed to be quite
widespread." - Daily Mail.